Textbook-Integrated Guide to Educational Resources

TIGER

Molecules and Medicine (E. J. Corey, Barbara Czakó, and László Kürti)Robert E. BuntrockLooking for a book on common drugs and pharmaceuticals? On diseases and medical conditions? On pharmacology? In addition, do you need some background in chemistry to handle all of this information? If you want all of this, and in addition want it under one cover, then this is the book for you.Buntrock, Robert E. J. Chem. Educ.2008, 85, 1495.

The A1c Blood Test: An Illustration of Principles from General and Organic ChemistryRobert C. KerberThe glycated hemoglobin blood test is a key measure of the effectiveness of glucose control in diabetics. The chemistry of glucose in the bloodstream, which underlies the test and its impact, provides an illustration of the importance of chemical equilibrium and kinetics to a major health problem.Kerber, Robert C. . J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 1541.

Applications of Chemistry |

Bioinorganic Chemistry |

Carbohydrates |

Mechanisms of Reactions |

Proteins / Peptides |

Bioorganic Chemistry

Nature's Way To Make the LantibioticsHeather A. Relyea and Wilfred A. van der DonkThis article focuses on one class of antimicrobial compounds, the lantibiotics, and discusses their biosynthetic pathways as well as their molecular mode of action. In the course of the review, the meaning of the terms regio-, chemo-, and stereoselectivity are discussed.Relyea, Heather A.; van der Donk, Wilfred A. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1769.

Applications of Chemistry |

Bioorganic Chemistry |

Biotechnology |

Biosynthesis |

Catalysis |

Drugs / Pharmaceuticals |

Proteins / Peptides

Amino AcidsWilliam F. ColemanThe Featured Molecules this month are the 20 standard alpha-amino acids found in proteins. The molecules are presented in two formats, the neutral form and the ionized form found in solution at physiologic pH.Coleman, William F. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1103.

A Green Polymerization of Aspartic Acid for the Undergraduate Organic LaboratoryGeorge D. BennettBased on a technology that won a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, this experiment involves the thermal polymerization of aspartic acid and subsequent hydrolysis to give sodium poly(aspartate). The procedure is suitable for introducing students to the important topic of polymers and for illustrating several of the principles of green chemistry. Bennett, George D. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 1380.

Green Chemistry |

Synthesis |

Industrial Chemistry |

Natural Products |

Polymerization |

Proteins / Peptides

A Supramolecular Approach to Medicinal Chemistry: Medicine Beyond the MoleculeDavid K. SmithThis article emphasizes a conceptual view of medicinal chemistry, which has important implications for the future, as the supramolecular approach to medicinal-chemistry products outlined here is rapidly allowing nanotechnology to converge with medicine. In particular, this article discusses recent developments including the rational design of drugs such as Relenza and Tamiflu, the mode of action of vancomycin, and the mechanism by which bacteria develop resistance, drug delivery using cyclodextrins, and the importance of supramolecular chemistry in understanding protein aggregation diseases such as Alzheimer's and CreutzfieldJacob. Smith, David K. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 393.

Proposed Improvements to a Lab on Equilibrium Binding of Phenol Red to ProteinTodd SilversteinMany biochemistry courses incorporate a laboratory project published as experiment 3 in Modern Experimental Biochemistry. Boyer recommends that students calculate the fraction of bound dye using the areas of the two eluted peaks in the absorbance versus fraction number plot. This will only work if the dyes absorbance is identical for both the bound and the free form.Silverstein, Todd. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 645.

Dyes / Pigments |

Chromatography |

Proteins / Peptides |

Equilibrium

Proposed Improvements to a Lab on Equilibrium Binding of Phenol Red to ProteinTodd SilversteinMany biochemistry courses incorporate a laboratory project published as experiment 3 in Modern Experimental Biochemistry. Boyer recommends that students calculate the fraction of bound dye using the areas of the two eluted peaks in the absorbance versus fraction number plot. This will only work if the dyes absorbance is identical for both the bound and the free form.Silverstein, Todd. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 645.

Dyes / Pigments |

Chromatography |

Proteins / Peptides |

Equilibrium

The Proteomics Stock Market Project. A Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in Biochemistry and Business EducationHeath Keller and James R. CoxStudents taking courses in different disciplines can work together to add unique elements to their educational experience. Stage I involved biochemistry students investigating the topic of proteomics and choosing companies for potential investment based only on scientific investigation. Marketing and management students completed Stage II and provided an investment analysis on the companies selected in Stage I.Keller, Heath; Cox, James R. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 519.

Drugs / Pharmaceuticals |

Proteins / Peptides

A Modular Laser Apparatus for Polarimetry, Nephelometry, and Fluorimetry in General ChemistryScott A. Darveau, Jessica Mueller, April Vaverka, Cheri Barta, Anthony Fitch, Jessica Jurzenski, and Yvonne GindtWe present an apparatus suitable for multiple uses in the general chemistry laboratory including polarimetry, fluorescence, and nephelometry. The open design of the instrument also decreases the chance that students will contract the "black-box syndrome" that seems to develop when using instruments that only provide the final data in an experiment without showing how the measurements are obtained. Darveau, Scott A.; Mueller, Jessica; Vaverka, April; Barta, Cheri; Fitch, Anthony; Jurzenski, Jessica; Gindt, Yvonne. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 401.

A "Polypeptide Demonstrator"Addison AultI have used a telephone Handset Coil Cord as a simple and convenient model for the structure of a polypeptide. Ault, Addison. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 196.

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Modeling |

Molecular Properties / Structure

Food: The Chemistry of Its Components, 4th Edition (T. P. Coultrate)Richard PagniThe book begins with an extensive discussion of the major constituents of food: sugars and their polymers, lipids, and amino acids and their polymers. This is followed by fascinating chapters on colors and flavors, the ingredients that do so much to make food enjoyable.Pagni, Richard. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 39.

Factors Affecting Reaction Kinetics of Glucose OxidaseKristin A. JohnsonDemonstration based on a biochemical kinetics experiment in which the rate of reaction varies with the enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, substrate used in the reaction, and temperature. Johnson, Kristin A. J. Chem. Educ.2002, 79, 74.

A Simple Method for Demonstrating Enzyme Kinetics Using Catalase from Beef Liver ExtractKristin A. JohnsonA simple visual method of demonstrating enzyme kinetics using beef liver catalase. Filter paper is saturated with beef liver extract and placed into a solution of hydrogen peroxide. The catalase in the extract decomposes the hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. Oxygen forms on the filter paper, and the filter paper rises to the top of the beaker. Catalase activity is measured by timing the rise of the enzyme-soaked filter paper to the top of beakers containing different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Johnson, A. Kristin. J. Chem. Educ.2000, 77, 1451.

Enzymes |

Kinetics |

Proteins / Peptides |

Reactions

An Inexpensive Gradient Maker for the Biochemistry LaboratoryWilliam H. FlurkeyA gradient maker for use in the biochemistry laboratory was constructed out of plastic graduated cylinders or other easily obtained plastic items. Assembly of the gradient makers requires little time or expense. Details on construction and operation are given.Flurkey, Bill. J. Chem. Educ.2000, 77, 1041.

Chromatography |

Laboratory Equipment / Apparatus |

Proteins / Peptides

Thermal Denaturation of Proteins Studied by UV SpectroscopyNatasa Poklar and Gorazd VesnaverUV spectroscopy has been widely used for monitoring the unfolding of proteins. During temperature-induced denaturation the protein absorbance changes with temperature until the process of unfolding is completed. A determination of DH(Td) and DS(Td) for a-chymotrypsinogen A at pH 3.0 is demonstrated. Poklar, Natasa; Vesnaver, Gorazd. J. Chem. Educ.2000, 77, 380.

Biophysical Chemistry |

UV-Vis Spectroscopy |

Undergraduate Research |

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Properties / Structure

Chromatin Isolation and DNA Sequence Analysis in Large Undergraduate Laboratory SectionsAnn E. HagermanOne exercise is a simple laboratory experiment in which chromatin is isolated from chicken liver and is resolved into histone proteins and DNA by ion-exchange chromatography. The other is a series of computer simulations that introduce DNA sequencing, mapping, and sequence analysis to the students. Hagerman, Ann E. J. Chem. Educ.1999, 76, 1426.

Biotechnology |

Proteins / Peptides |

Nucleic Acids / DNA / RNA

Homogeneous Immunoassays: Historical Perspective and Future PromiseEdwin F. UllmanThe founding and growth of Syva Company is examined in the context of its leadership role in the development of homogeneous immunoassays. The simple mix and read protocols of these methods offer advantages in routine analytical and clinical applications. Ullman, Edwin F. J. Chem. Educ.1999, 76, 781.

Showing Food Foams Properties with Common Dairy FoodsCarlos Bravo-Diaz and Elisa Gonzalez-RomeroSome easy to carry, inexpensive and safe experiments developed using familiar kitchen materials related with egg foams. Eggs's properties are not only limited to prepare excellent and delicious emulsions like mayonnaise but also makes excellent foams, increasing their volume significantly in two primary ways.Bravo-Diaz, Carlos; Gonzalez-Romero, Elisa. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 1133.

Learning Theories |

Food Science |

Proteins / Peptides |

Applications of Chemistry

The Sweetness of Aspartame: A Biochemistry Lab for Health Science Chemistry CoursesPaul J. SteinA laboratory exercise to study the effect of aspartame concentration on sweetness has been developed. Class data is averaged and plotted on the same graph as absorbance and taste rating vs. [aspartame]. The absorbance plot follows Beer's law while the taste rating plot displays the hyperbolic response of protein-ligand binding plots.Stein, Paul J. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 1112.

The Use of a "Qual" Centrifuge for Greatly Simplifying and Speeding the Study of MilkQuentin R. PetersenLaboratory study of the constituents of milk is almost always slowed by difficult separation of relatively large amounts of curd and whey by filtration. In the two-and-one-half hour experiment described, only 5 mL of skim milk is used and the curd is separated from the whey by using a simple "qual" centrifuge.J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 848.

The Well-Read BiochemistGale RhodesThis article describes how I use a collection of poems, essays, and fiction to inspire my biochemistry students to make connections between the arcane world of cellular chemistry and the wider world of literature and the humanities. Rhodes, Gale. J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 732.

Biochemical Data on the WebBarmettler, Peter186. Searching for information about enzymes, receptors, and other biochemical data is a painstaking task for chemists even in well-equipped libraries. The World Wide Web (WWW), also called the information superhighway, offers now an alternative approach, which is especially advantageous for homology modeling.Barmettler, Peter J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 520.

A Problem-Based Learning Design for Teaching BiochemistryRichard F. DodsThis article describes the design of a biochemistry course that uses problem-based learning. Examples of some of the problems incorporated into the course are described in detail.Dods, Richard F. J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 225.

A Simple Competitive Protein-Binding ExperimentAnderson, Alexander J.This experiment was developed for teaching the concept of competitive protein-binding assays, but with the use of inexpensive reagents and commonly available laboratory equipment in place of specialized immunoassay reagents and radiation counting equipment.Anderson, Alexander J. J. Chem. Educ.1994, 71, 994.

Inclass interactive worksheets for organic chemistryOstercamp, Daryl L.The author has designed two in-class worksheets for use near the end of a two semester organic chemistry course, one dealing with mono- and disaccharides and the second dealing with alpha-amino acids and dipeptides.Ostercamp, Daryl L. J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 318.

Carbohydrates |

Amino Acids |

Proteins / Peptides

Teaching bioorganic chemistry: An introductory courseDugas, HermannBioorganic chemistry could be defined as a discipline that is essentially concerned with using the tools of organic chemistry to understand biochemical processes.Dugas, Hermann J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 268.

A game show approach to teaching peptide sequencingLemley, Paul V.The game allows each group of students to propose experiments, report what results would have occurred, interpret results, and propose more experiments.Lemley, Paul V. J. Chem. Educ.1989, 66, 1011.

Compact compactNelson, Gregory V.Using a cardboard mailing tube to demonstrate the rigidity of the folding pattern and the flexibility of a non-helical region in a protein.Nelson, Gregory V. J. Chem. Educ.1977, 54, 578.

Amino acid sequence diversity in proteinsBlackman, DavidThe number of unique proteins that can be generated from a small number of amino acids is truly enormous.Blackman, David J. Chem. Educ.1977, 54, 170.

Proteins / Peptides |

Amino Acids

Bromolain. Experiments illustrating proteolytic enzyme actionReigh, Darryel L.The following set of exercises provides a simple visual method of demonstrations some of the characteristics of enzymes in general, such as heat and pH lability and inhibition, as well as some specific properties of bromelain intide hydrolysis. These experiments can be used with freshman in introductory courses and juniors in biochemistry.Reigh, Darryel L. J. Chem. Educ.1976, 53, 386.

Errors in representing structures of proteins and nucleic acidsDay, Richard A.; Ritter, Edmond J.It is the exceptional modern textbook in biochemistry or organic chemistry that consistently represents the structures of proteins and nucleic acids as they are found to exist in nature.Day, Richard A.; Ritter, Edmond J. J. Chem. Educ.1967, 44, 761.

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Properties / Structure

The use of talc as a tlc adsorbentWalsh, Brother Joseph M.Describes the use of talc as a thin layer chromatography adsorbent, particularly with respect to the separation of flavonoids, sugars, and proteins.Walsh, Brother Joseph M. J. Chem. Educ.1967, 44, 294.

Models illustrating the helix-coil transition in polypeptidesHayman, H. J. G.Describes modifications of the Fisher-Hirschfelder-Taylor atom models whereby a model of a polypeptide molecule in the form of a random chain can easily be rolled up to give the alpha-helix configuration and then unrolled again to give once more a random chain.Hayman, H. J. G. J. Chem. Educ.1964, 41, 561.

Molecular Modeling |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Proteins / Peptides

Ribonucleic acid: The simplest information-transmitting moleculeFraenkel-Conrat, H.Examines the chemical structure of nucleic acids, chemical modification of RNA and mutagenesis, role of RNA in protein structure, the mechanism of information transfer from RNA to protein, and mutants and coding.Fraenkel-Conrat, H. J. Chem. Educ.1963, 40, 216.

Potentialities of protein isomerismAsimov, IsaacThe permutations generated by structural isomerism in proteins could be demonstrated more convincingly and realistically if the amino acid compositions of actual proteins were taken into consideration.Asimov, Isaac J. Chem. Educ.1954, 31, 125.

Proteins / Peptides |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Amino Acids |

Constitutional Isomers

Osmotic pressure and molecular weightHitchcock, David I.Discusses the use of osmotic pressure to establish the molecular weights of proteins and synthetic polymers.Hitchcock, David I. J. Chem. Educ.1951, 28, 478.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Chemometrics |

Aqueous Solution Chemistry |

Proteins / Peptides

Teaching amino acid formulationPatton, A. R.Presents a device that aids in explaining the concept of dipolar ions necessary to an understanding of the behavior of amino acids and proteins.Patton, A. R. J. Chem. Educ.1951, 28, 471.